"No alternative" - Wimbledon stays firm with ban decision

Wimbledon has made the “most responsible decision possible” by banning Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s tournament, according to All England Club (AELTC) chairman Ian Hewitt.

The AELTC, which organises the Grand Slam, and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), have announced that Russian and Belarusian players will not be permitted to play in the UK this summer following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The move has been criticised by the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour, where men and women are still allowed to compete under neutral flags.

There are four Russian men in the top 30 of the ATP rankings, including world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev and world No. 8 Andrey Rublev, and six Russian and Belarusian players in the top 32 of the WTA rankings, including world No. 4 Aryna Sabalenka.

Speaking at Wimbledon’s spring media briefing, Hewitt said:

“At the outset, we believe this is an extreme and exceptional situation that takes us far beyond the interests of tennis alone. Russia’s ongoing invasion, leading to catastrophic harm for millions of lives in Ukraine, has been condemned worldwide by over 140 nations, government, industry, sport and creative institutions are all playing their part in efforts to limit Russia’s global influence, including any benefit from trade, cultural or sporting shows of strength."

He further said:

“We understand and deeply regret the impact this decision will have on every individual affected and so many innocent people are suffering as a result of this terrible war. But bound to act we believe we have made the most responsible decision possible in the circumstances and within the framework of the government’s position there is no viable alternative to the decision we have taken in this truly exceptional and tragic situation.”